How to add WebMatrix default parameters?

That subject may not do this questions justice.

I am trying to limit what I write on all my .cshtml pages.

For example, on everypage I am @using myDLL and "connecting" to sql server.

I write that out like

     @using System.myDLL;
     @{
         myDLL dll = new myDLL();
         dll.ConnectionString = "blablabla";
     }

How can I remove the need to do that to every single page?

I think I can create a web.config and do some funky stuff... can someone show examples?

Re: How to add WebMatrix default parameters?

This kind of thing can be achieved using a _start.cshtml or an _init.cshtml file: http://www.asp.net/webmatrix/tutorials/15-customizing-site-wide-behavior

Re: How to add WebMatrix default parameters?

Well, I know that and I have tried that... but it doesnt work...

error: The name 'myDLL' does not exist in the current context

Re: How to add WebMatrix default parameters?

create a bin folder in root of your website and copy the DLL to the bin folder. then you can access the DLL from _init.cshtml.

Re: How to add WebMatrix default parameters?

It's already in a bin folder

and again... I already tried the _init.cshtml as well as the _start.cshtml

Re: How to add WebMatrix default parameters?

Here is my _init.cshtml

@using System.CapTool.Server.DAL;
@using System.Configuration;
@{
    DAL mydll = new DAL();
    mydll.ConnectionString = (string)ConfigurationSettings.AppSettings["ConnectionString"];
    Exception ex = null;
}

Here is my other page ... data.cshtml

@{
    var data= mydll.getfunction(year, username, out ex);
    Response.Write(data);
}

doesnt find it...

A couple things I've looked at: 1. The connection string is definetly a working string. If I DO NOT seperate the _init.cshtml stuff from all the pages, it works. Sooo the functions are valid, it works without the _init.cshtml, and all i'm seeing in my error is cannot find reference to mydll

...

is there any way around having to write down the connection string, object instance, and my exeption on EVERY single page?

Re: How to add WebMatrix default parameters?

Unfortunately variables aren't global. They're scoped to the page you're working on.

For now you have to build your own class with a method that sets up your class and call that from every page.

Drop a file called DALHelpers.cs into the App_Code in the root of your app. Put this in the file...

public static class DALHelpers {
    public static DAL CreateDAL() {
        DAL mydll = new DAL();
        mydll.ConnectionString = (string)ConfigurationSettings.AppSettings["ConnectionString"];


        return mydll;
    }
}

From any page now you can do this...

@{
    var mydll = DALHelpers.CreateDAL();
    var data= mydll.getfunction(year, username, out ex);
    Response.Write(data);
}

Not ideal, but should work for you. In the next release we'll allow you to put an @functions {} block into a file in App_Code and the methods will be globally accessible to any page. That should simplify it a bit.

Re: How to add WebMatrix default parameters?

Darn...

If I can't do global variable, like I have above, can I atleast do something funky to the web.config to take care of my problem?

Kind of similar to how Webforms handles the option to globally register controls on every single page user controls are used in.

<controls>
            <add tagPrefix="my" tagName="menu" src="~/MenuControl.ascx" />
</controls >

Can that apply to razor?

Re: How to add WebMatrix default parameters?

No, that is for web forms only.

One of our devs reminded me that you could also stuff what you need in Context.Items. So maybe something like this...

_init.cshtml

@{
    DAL mydll = new DAL();
    mydll.ConnectionString = (string)ConfigurationSettings.AppSettings["ConnectionString"];
    Context.Items["mydll"] = mydll;
}

Then in your page...

@{  
    var mydll = Context.Items["mydll"] as DAL;
    var data= mydll.getfunction(year, username, out ex);
    Response.Write(data);
}

Still suboptimal, but both ways should work fine.

Re: How to add WebMatrix default parameters?

I like that approach...

Will this allow me to reference my dll once from the _init.cshtml?

Meaning, I only need to use @using mydll; once? and in the _init.cshtml? and not in the page.cshtml so that those three lines are in fact the ONLY guys I would use across the application?

Re: How to add WebMatrix default parameters?

Unfortunately, no. The "as DAL" in there will blow up without a using at the top of the page. The first approach I suggested should work without a using though.

Re: How to add WebMatrix default parameters?

Hey... Interesting thing I stumbled on...

I created a Global.cs file and placed it in my app_code directory. I assigned my instances and variables as public static members...

using System;
using System.MyDLL.Server.DAL;
using System.Configuration;
public static class Global
{
    public static Exception ex = null;
    public static DAL dal = new DAL();
    public static string ConnectionString = ConfigurationManager.ConnectionStrings["DB"].ConnectionString;
    public static void SetConnectionString()
    {
        dal.ConnectionString = ConnectionString;
    }
}

For the sake of keeping my connection string available on every page I called the SetConnectionString (above) function,

@{
    Global.SetConnectionString();
}

Becuase of the public static members in Global.cs I can call my instanced dal without creating a new instance of dal (this was done in Global.cs)

Global.dal.object;
void myfunction(Global.something, out Global.ex);

In conclusion,

By first created a public static class I can use it throughout my project...

Re: How to add WebMatrix default parameters?

I am almost completely sure that won't scale and you'll have issues when requests start coming in fast and each request is hitting the same variable. Your object should really be instantiated per request (stuffed in Context.Items or something that lives for the life of the request)...for now.

We're finishing up new simplified state management for the next release that will make what you're trying to do, much easier. Basically, you'll be able to say Page.dal = new DAL(); and set all your initial properties you need in _Init.cshtml, then in any web page you can access Page.dal. Simple. :)

Re: How to add WebMatrix default parameters?

Darn, I thought I found something cool ><

What kind of issues will accur when requests come in faster?

I can revert back to the Context.Items as you mentioned earlier and thats fine...

However.... When does the next release come out?? heheh (= !?!?!?